Abstract
The aim was to measure the concentrations of heavy metals in groundwater obtained from 30 randomly selected domestic wells and 10 stream locations all in Ibadan, Nigeria, compare the results with the World Health Organization guidelines, draw conclusions and make recommendations. Water samples were obtained and analysed for Pb, As, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe and Mn. Overall, the minimum concentrations of Pb, As, Cd, Cr and Fe in the well water samples were below detection limit (BDL). The maximum values were 0.02, 0.45, 0.01, 0.445, 0.135, 0.09, 0.245 and 0.155 mg/l respectively. In the surface water samples, the minimum concentrations of Pb, As, Cd and Cr were below detection level, while the maximum concentrations of Pb, As, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe and Mn were respectively 0.075, 0.05, 0.001, 0.445, 0.120, 0.065, 0.45 and 0.16 mg/l. No evidence of contamination of these water supply sources with heavy metals was found going by the fact that the values obtained were lower than the guideline values established by the World Health Organization. A possible exception is As which in some samples had higher concentrations than the WHO guideline. The recommendations of the study include continuous and close monitoring of these private drinking water supplies. There must also be strict compliance to regulatory limits in sludge and wastes to be released into the environment, and enforcement of other environmental protection regulations. Findings from this study will be of immense help to the general public as well as researchers and environmental regulators working in this area of interest in developing countries. Key words: Heavy metals, drinking water, Ibadan
Highlights
Begun et al (2009) observed that large quantities of pollutants have continuously been introduced into ecosystems as a consequence of urbanization and industrial processes
Reported researches in respect of water quality in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria include Adelekan and Abegunde (2011) which investigated the heavy metals contamination of soils and groundwater at automobile mechanic villages in the city and Adelekan and Alawode (2011) which assessed the contributions of municipal refuse dumps to heavy metals concentrations in soil profile and groundwater on the dump sites in the city
For Pb, the maximum concentration of 0.075 mg/l occurred in sample S6, and this sample had the minimum concentrations for Cd and Cr, in both cases, below detection limits
Summary
Begun et al (2009) observed that large quantities of pollutants have continuously been introduced into ecosystems as a consequence of urbanization and industrial processes. Reported researches in respect of water quality in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria include Adelekan and Abegunde (2011) which investigated the heavy metals contamination of soils and groundwater at automobile mechanic villages in the city and Adelekan and Alawode (2011) which assessed the contributions of municipal refuse dumps to heavy metals concentrations in soil profile and groundwater on the dump sites in the city. The objective of this research is to investigate the concentrations of these heavy metals in domestic water sources at residences in the city in order to establish the presence or otherwise of any health risks to the city residents. It is with that objective in mind that this research work was undertaken
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